BE GOOD TO YOURSELF AT LEAST ONCE A DAY

Having possibly the best album cover ever, well ok the multi star fold out inner gate fold sleeve Mans Map Of Wales plus Deke Leonards Mans Family Jungle on the inner sleeve, what's not to like about this album and indeed the band!

For a band with a constantly recycled line up...the two mainstays were Mickey Jones (guitar/vox) and Terry Williams (drums) who went on to fame and fortune in Dire Straits (what a come down Tel!)...they managed to produce consistent albums and this one is most Man fans favourite. Their freewheeling jam aesthetic...and no, they were not the UK/Wales Grateful Dead, they were better than that.... is best found in the 4 long tracks that make up this album.

The keyboard riff that sets off, if not at a gallop then at least a damned good canter, C'mon is simple but instantly memorable with that warm now vintage sound that we associate with the best prog and related stuff from this era and the guitars add fills and complimentary rhythm as the song moves on. If prog is ever allowed to be 'a toe tapper'...I guess the jury are still out and stroking their beards on that one....then this is exhibit one m'lud. I sometimes struggle with the nasal vocals of Jones but he never goes in for hand wringing (well you can't if you are playing the guitar at the same time but run with it...) and strained emotions. The song then slides into a trippy slower section and the band use cleverly stacked vocals to create a choir type sound which pushes us back to the 'alleged' toe tapping riff/solos/rpt and end. Keep on Crinting is just a feel good well constructed instrumental with a slight flavour of country/rock (Bronco anyone?). Bananas is their celebration of all substances illegal, well, one in particular, and they do sound like a band fueled by it if we are honest. Then...Life on the Road eh! Who would have thought a 4/4 shuffle would fit perfectly on a 'prog' album, but it does you know! Will Youatt sings this one and his slight slur works well and this is real good time stoned vibe stuff...and exhibit 2 in the 'toe tapper' trial. You know, I'm going to flip it back over and play the album again. That says plenty. After that I might go and talk to some trees....

And if you ever come across Clive Johns You Always Know Where You Stand With A Buzzard album (1975) give it a try.